Two-thirds of Torontonians say they approve of the second-degree murder charge laid against Toronto police Const. James Forcillo, according to a recent poll.

The Forum Research poll found approval is especially high among males, downtown residents, those who earn less than $20,000 per year and people with post-graduate degrees. Less than one-fifth of Torontonians disapprove of the charge.

It appears this case is just too explosive to ignore

“It appears this case is just too explosive to ignore,” said Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research. “It’s become an issue of fairness, and they only see it as fair that Const. Forcillo (and other officers in his position) pay for their actions.”

Const. Forcillo was charged with second-degree murder after he shot and killed 18-year-old Sammy Yatim on July 27. Mr. Yatim was on a TTC streetcar, wielding a knife at the time of the incident. The officer is suspended with pay and has been released on $510,000 bail.

Mr. Bozinoff said he was surprised by the high two-thirds approval rate but said the fact that the incident was recent, along with the widely shared video footage of the shooting, may have influenced public opinion.

“We know that things that are more visual and vivid tend to be in the person’s mind, overrepresented when they think about it,” he said.

He said the level of force used, referring to the nine shots fired, may also have influenced opinion.